Wheeling Jesuit Upsets Eighth-Ranked Seton Hill

GREENSBURG, Penn. – Wheeling Jesuit picked up arguably the biggest win in program history on Saturday, defeating the #8 Seton Hill Griffins 18-12 on the road in Greensburg PA.

The upset win over the Griffins puts the 9-1 (5-1 ECAC) Cardinals in prime position to climb back into the national rankings. It also gives WJU a boost of confidence heading into a massive home game against the nation's #4 team, the Mercyhurst Lakers, a team that Seton Hill defeated on March 8th.

This was the first time the Cardinal Seniors have ever beaten Seton Hill, and avenged a 19-7 drubbing at the hands of the SHU last year.

"I am so happy for our team, and to be quiet honest, I am really happy for their parents. The spirit of joy, pride and happiness I saw in the eyes of our WJU lacrosse parents after the game was a really, really special thing," said WJU head Coach Kevin Dugan. "This is the first time I have ever mentioned parents in a post-game interview, but I am really just as happy for them as I am for our players. For our parents to share a moment like this with their sons was just an absolutely beautiful thing"

Leading all scorers with a season high six goals to his name was sophomore attacker Bryce Brochu who has been the Cardinals most prolific scorer this season, finding the back of the net 29 times to date.

Also leading WJU in the scoring column was sophomore Duston Doudelet who had four goals on five shots, and senior Brian Frank who added a pair of goals as well. All told nine different Cardinals added goals en-route to the 18 - 12 win. Six of the Cardinals goals were man-up goals as well.

WJU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter on goals from five different scorers, and ran out to a big 10-3 lead at the halftime break. The Cardinals kept the pressure on Seton Hill, scoring first in each quarter, and topping off the scoring with six more goals in the 4th quarter.

"When I saw Rob Mills turn the corner from behind the goal to put us up 2-0 I knew we were going to be ready to play for 60 minutes. It was a pretty fearless take to the goal and helped infect everyone on our team with the confidence they needed to beat a team of Seton Hill's caliber," added coach Dugan. "There are too many other players that made huge plays today to mention all of them, Corey Luebbe, Joe Amsler, everyone they all had big days and seized the opportunity for competitive greatness."

Defensively, senior Joe Amsler picked up the W for the Cardinals, taking 9 saves on 43 shots from the Griffins. Evan Hodel scooped up 12 ground balls while Corey Luebbe caused four turnovers and six ground balls to keep the SHU attack at bay.

The win puts added emphasis on the Cardinals last conference game of the regular season when they host the nation's 4th ranked Lakers from Mercyhurst. That game is slated for a 1:00 pm start on Saturday, April 19th on Bishop Schmitt Field.

"We know we have a national championship caliber team coming to Wheeling on Saturday in Mercyhurst. We spoke about it when we were getting off the bus in Wheeling this afternoon and our guys know we will need a great week of preparation and another sixty minute team effort on Saturday," added Dugan